Mission Journal 2-Deron Burkepile: Mission Day 1: Monday, November 8, 2004

Dropping in the water today on our field site from the R/V Sabina was a unique experience. We started a dive that ends in ten days. It was definitely different knowing that once I started that dive I wouldn't see sunshine for about 240 hours or so. Today we were working to get our cages ready for fish by securing the chicken wire mesh that will keep the fish we want inside the cages and the fish we don't want on the outside. At least that's how it works in theory. Sometimes the nurse sharks and moray eels have different ideas of who should be inside the cages and who shouldn't.

It's easy to get caught up in the work, and I had to remind myself to step back and look around every now and then. When I did, it made me realize how much I love doing what I do. Before I knew it we had been underwater for three hours, then four, then six and it was time to go back to the Aquarius for a hot, but short, shower, and some freeze-dried food. Might not sound appetizing but after a six hour dive it was pretty yummy. Now it's time to start planning tomorrow's work schedule. We will get out by six in the morning so that means we need to get up by 4:30AM. But it will be worth the early wake-up call to get to see the reef wake up in the morning. Can't wait!